Stonehenge and Bath are the most popular day trip from London, and for good reason. In one day you see a stone circle built around 5,000 years ago and a Georgian city built around Roman hot springs. They are also a long way out: Stonehenge is about 90 miles from Central London and Bath about 115, so a good plan makes a real difference.
This guide covers the tickets you need, how long to allow, the order that works best, and an honest comparison of doing it by coach, by train or with your own car and driver.
- DistanceAbout 90 miles to Stonehenge, 30 more to Bath
- DrivingAbout 5 hours in total across the day
- Tickets to bookStonehenge timed entry; Roman Baths timed entry
- Best start8am from Central London
Book your Stonehenge time slot first
Stonehenge is run by English Heritage and uses timed tickets. Booking ahead is strongly recommended: it guarantees your entry time and is cheaper than paying on the day, and on busy summer days and bank holidays the slots can sell out. English Heritage members get in free but should still book a slot.
Your ticket covers the visitor centre and its exhibition, plus the shuttle bus that runs about a mile and a half out to the stones. On a standard visit you walk a path around the circle rather than among the stones. Last entry is normally two hours before closing, so a late slot leaves very little time. For this trip, a slot between 10:00 and 10:30 works best.
Then book the Roman Baths
The Roman Baths in Bath also sell timed tickets, and booking online is the safest way to get the time you want, especially at weekends and in school holidays. Allow at least an hour and a half; many people stay longer. If you are booking from our Stonehenge slot, an entry time of about 14:00 fits comfortably after lunch.
A day that works
This is the timing we use for our private tour. It puts you at Stonehenge before the midday crowds and gives Bath a full afternoon.
- Pickup from your hotel or home in Central London.
- Stonehenge: the shuttle, the stones and the visitor centre (about 2 hours).
- About an hour's drive through the Wiltshire countryside to Bath.
- Lunch in the city centre.
- The Roman Baths, next to Bath Abbey (about 1½ hours).
- A walk past Pulteney Bridge to the Circus and the Royal Crescent, where your driver meets you.
- Head back to London, about 2½ hours depending on traffic.
- Drop-off at your door.
Want a slower day? Add an hour or two when you book, or swap the Roman Baths for a walk and afternoon tea. Lacock and Castle Combe, two of the prettiest villages in England, are close to the route back if you would rather have a village than a museum.
Coach tour, train or private car?
By coach. Coach day tours to Stonehenge and Bath usually leave from Victoria early in the morning and return in the early evening. They are the cheapest way to go if you are one or two people, and most include a guide and Stonehenge entry. The trade-offs are a fixed timetable, a coach of up to 50 or more people, and getting yourself to and from Victoria at both ends of a long day.
By train. Trains from Paddington reach Bath in about 90 minutes, which makes Bath alone an easy day. Adding Stonehenge by public transport means a train to Salisbury and a bus out to the stones, and doing both cities in one day by rail is hard work.
With your own car and driver. You leave from your own door, at your own Stonehenge time, and stay as long as you like at each stop. You pay one price for the vehicle, however many of you there are, and you never have to find a coach park or a bus stop.
| Vehicle | Passengers | Price per vehicle |
|---|---|---|
| See the current prices for every vehicle on the tour page. | ||
Practical tips
- Stonehenge is on open ground and often windy. Bring a warm layer even in summer, and a waterproof rather than an umbrella.
- Wear comfortable shoes. You will walk a mile or more at Stonehenge and Bath's centre is hilly in places.
- The day is long. With children, think about Stonehenge and Windsor instead, or Bath on its own.
- Tell us your ticket times when you book, and we will set the pickup time around them.
Questions we are often asked
Can you see Stonehenge without a ticket?
You can see the stones from a distance from public footpaths across the surrounding land, but to reach the visitor path around the circle you need a timed ticket from English Heritage. We recommend booking a slot around 10:00.
Is Stonehenge and Bath too much for one day?
It is a full day of about 11 hours, with roughly 5 hours of driving. Most adults enjoy it. With young children, or if you would rather not spend that long in a car, Bath on its own or Windsor with Stonehenge are gentler options.
Are tickets included in the private tour?
No. Our price covers your private car and driver for the day, fuel, parking and waiting time. You book the Stonehenge and Roman Baths tickets directly, which also lets you choose the exact times and any member discounts.
Does the driver act as a guide?
Your driver is a professional chauffeur, not a licensed tour guide, though they know the route well. If you would like a qualified guide to join you, ask us when you book and we will arrange one at an extra cost.
How many people can travel together?
Up to 6 in one of our larger vehicles. For bigger groups we can send two vehicles travelling together. Contact us for a combined price.